IFAO

The Fourth Riwaq Academy for Young Researchers

Organized by The French Institute for Oriental Archaeology (IFAO) in cooperation with the Faculty of Archeology, Ain Shams University

Applications of AI & Modern Technologies In the field of Islamic Archaeology

(21-22 April 2024)

The field of archeology is witnessing a major transformation and remarkable progress with the emergence of new horizons of technology. The incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) technology into this field is revolutionising the way we discover the unknown, promising to push archeology into a new era of advances never seen before.

The long-standing tradition in archaeological excavation and the process of studying and excavating sites requires great efforts and extensive analyses in order to reach new results. Artificial intelligence and new technology fields are the future of change. Thanks to their ability to process huge amounts of data at fast speeds, AI can discover patterns and connections that are almost impossible for humans to see and implement them quickly and accurately. This ability for rapid and complex analysis opens new horizons for archaeological discovery, and allows us to delve into the past as never before.

Artificial intelligence is particularly useful in analysing images from satellites. Furthermore, artificial intelligence plays a crucial role in preserving archaeological and heritage sites. Given the increasing threats posed by climate change and urban development to these precious parts of our history, the need and necessity of effective conservation methods is more important than ever. Artificial intelligence also allows archaeologists to focus on the interpretive and analytical aspects of their work. This harmony between man and machine offers a huge amount of potential to open up new analyses about our past and shed light on mysteries that have escaped us for centuries. This is why the goal of this conference is to explore the uses of artificial intelligence in the service of Islamic archaeology and the way modern programs and new technology can be adapted to interpret mysterious events and elements in Islamic arts and architecture, as well as re-imagine and build many Islamic archaeological and heritage sites from different eras and try to learn their forms and events that has gone through multiple changes through history.

Click here to download the programme.

Themes of the Scientific Forum

1. The use of artificial intelligence in Islamic archaeology.
2. Modern technologies and digitalisation and how to use them in the fields of Islamic archaeology.
3. Programming and software in the field of preserving, documenting and digitalisation of Islamic archaeology.
4. Technology and digitalisation in Islamic archaeology, both movable and immovable.
5. Managing Islamic archaeological and heritage sites using modern technology.
6. Artificial Intelligence and its most important programs.

Rules and Procedures for Participation

• Presenters must be young researchers in the fields of Artificial Intelligence and modern technology in Islamic architecture.
• The research must be within the domain of the scientific forum: Artificial Intelligence and modern technology in Islamic architecture.
• An abstract of no longer than two pages (Size A4) must be submitted.
• A brief biography of no longer than one page must be submitted. This must include a recent photograph of the researcher and contact information (email address and phone number).
• Each presentation will be 20 minutes in length followed by 10 minutes for discussion and questions.
• The head of the session will be a professor specialised in the study of Islamic art, writing, or inscriptions.
• Abstracts will be submitted to a scientific committee for qualitative review. Researchers will be informed directly whether their research has been accepted for inclusion in the scientific forum.
• Researchers will receive a participation certificate from the Ifao.

The deadline to submit abstracts is 15 March 2024.

Researchers will receive a certificate of participation in the forum from the IFAO.

To participate in the Riwaq Academy, please fill this electronic form. 

The Academy’s Organization Members

Riwaq Academy Presidents:

Prof. Dr. Ahmad Al-Shoky        

 Prof. Dr. Abbès Zouache

Organization supervisor

Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim Abd el-Ail

Scientific supervisor :

Dr. Nawal Jaber   

Organizing Committee:       

Dr. Ashgan Ahmed Metwaly

Dr. Rasha El-Mofatch

Dr. Iman Ahmed

Dr. Ghada Fayed